Recliner laptop desk

ABSTRACT

A laptop desk for comfortable laptop computing from a reclined user position and adapted to use with a conventional arm chair is disclosed. The laptop desk comprises a flat surface board having an upper raised border and a lower raised border defined by at least one pegboard area having a plurality of holes, a plurality of mouse pad areas, a plurality of accessory strap slots, and a plurality of hooks. The laptop desk further comprises an adjustable tension restraint strap, at least one leg assembly for pivotally resting the laptop desk on arm rests of the chair; and at least one peg hook. The peg hook is inserted to a pair of holes on the pegboard area to support desktop accessories and a laptop computer. A plurality of eyelet apertures and glide type strap adjusters in the adjustable tension restraint strap provide a means for strap length adjustment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the provisional patentapplication No. 61/271/725 filed on Jul. 24, 2009.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

None

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material thatis subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objectionto the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or thepatent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office fileor records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates in general to laptop computer desks andmore particularly to an adjustable laptop computer workstation forcomfortable laptop computing from a reclined or sitting position.

Today, computer use is on the rise among the young and old. Computersare used by more people, more often, and for longer periods of time.Many people now work from home, watch movies, read books, and takecollege courses online. While many individuals still use the traditionaldesktop computer for such activities, more and more people are optingfor the convenience of a laptop computer. Indeed, laptop computers arenow frequently employed in situations where the user is reclining orsitting in a comfortable chair without the use of a desk. Usually, thelaptop computer rests on the user's lap, the user's back is hunched andthe neck and eyes are strained as the body adjusts to the minimal screenand keyboard positions available. Although such a position can becomfortable for a few minutes, an important impediment to maintainingsuch a position is the discomfort which naturally arises from being insuch a position for a lengthy period of time. While this is especiallytrue for sickly and elderly individuals, the young and healthyeventually suffer health consequences as well. In addition, the computeris usually not ventilating and gets hot, causing further discomfort andpossible damage to the computer.

Various efforts to address health issues related to desktop computer usehave been made, such as ergonomic chairs, desks and keyboards, however,little has been done to address health issues related to laptop computeruse. Those configurations designed for use with laptop computersheretofore proved largely unsuccessful primarily due to their complexityin attempting to address mobility and due to their bulky, lapobstructing, unstable, non-secured leg support design. An example ofsuch devices includes US 2007/0012827 A1, Pub. Date Jan. 18, 2007,inventors Pide Fu; June Liu which discloses a portable support devicefor holding a laptop computer or other load object on a tiltable supportboard for viewing and operation by a person situated in any of a varietyof body position, including sitting, lying, and reclining in a varietyof indoor and outdoor locations. The tiltable support board mayaccordingly be positioned and locked into a variety of angularinclinations with respect to a structure of the portable support devicewhile the laptop computer or other load is securely displayed to thesituated user. This device is unsuitable for use with a recliner armchair due to its bulky leg support structure and inability to be securedto a recliner arm chair in order to provide stability.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,758 issued to Drake on Apr. 4, 2000 presents a deskunit that is adaptable for multiple uses by a user in a seated orreclining position by placing the desk over the user's lap. The desk isfully portable and foldable, but because of its relatively large legstructure, it too would obstruct the user's lap. Additionally, there isno means for securing the desk to the arm chair for stability and thedistance between the legs is not adjustable, thereby rendering itunsuitable for recliner arm chairs of varying arm rest distances.

Another such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,496,360 to Cordes onDec. 17, 2002 which discloses a portable computer laptop desk that, whenattached to a structure, is in turn supported on web strapping thatpasses over the upper legs of the operator when in the seated position.The strapping is attached to foldable and telescopable side and centersupports for the structure that slide into and fold over the structureforming a package comparable in size to the portable computer. Whilethis desk is certainly portable, the strapping support is obstructivewhile on the user's lap and this desk has no means for securing it to arecliner armchair. It is therefore unsuitable for use with a reclinerarmchair.

Most of the above configurations are generally unsightly and fail toprovide the necessary space and support system for multi task desktopwork requiring more than just a laptop computer. They are not securableto a recliner armchair and have the significant disadvantage ofobstructing the user's lap because of bulky leg support systems.

It is an object of the present invention to convert a recliner arm chairinto a readily adjustable workstation capable of simultaneouslyaccommodating and supporting a laptop computer with other desktopaccessories such as a notebook, book or calculator in a secure, nonobstructive manner. It is another object of the present invention toconvert a recliner armchair into a highly and readily adjustableworkstation for other tabletop activities such as eating, doing crafts,movie watching and podium style hands free reading in a comfortablesitting position. It is another object of the present invention toprovide a laptop computer support system that frees the user's lap fromthe discomfort of supporting a computer or any other desktop accessory.It is another object of the present invention to provide flexibility inpositioning of desktop accessories utilizing a peg hook accessorysupport system. It is yet another object of the invention to put userswhere they usually want to be, in their recliner armchair in front ofthe TV. It is another object of the present invention to allow forlaptop computing comfort with a wide array of screen and keyboardpositions available for optimal wrist, arm and spinal alignments. Otherobjects of the present invention will become better understood withreference to appended Summary, Description and Claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a laptop desk adapted to use with aconventional arm chair. The laptop desk comprises a flat surface boardhaving a front surface, a rear surface, an upper raised border and alower raised border defined by at least one pegboard area having aplurality of holes, a plurality of mouse pad areas on lower left andlower right ends of the flat surface board, a plurality of accessorystrap slots throughout the at least one pegboard area, an accessorystrap, and a plurality of hooks detachably attached at lower left andlower right ends of the flat surface board, an adjustable tensionrestraint strap, at least one leg assembly and at least one peg hookhaving a first terminal end and a second terminal end. The adjustabletension restraint strap includes a strap end union, a plurality of glidetype strap adjusters, and a first end and a second end. A plurality ofeyelet apertures in the first end and second end selectively engagedwith the hooks provide a means for strap length adjustment to createnecessary strap tension for desk support at a predetermined distancefrom the user and at a predetermined angular orientation with respect tothe user and the strap end union wraps around backrest of theconventional arm chair. The terminal ends of the hook are inserted to apair of holes in selected area of pegboard to support desktopaccessories and provide a stop for the laptop computer and otheraccessories as they rest on the flat surface board and prevent downwardgravitational sliding of the accessories when the desk is positioned atsteep angles.

The at least one leg assembly is attached to the rear surface of theflat surface board on the same axis. The leg assembly comprises at leastone axle housing having a pair of desk mounts and at least one weldednut, at least one axle having a pair of ends adapted for insertion intothe at least one axle housing, at least one spring loaded pop pinthreadably engaged with the at least one welded nut, a pair of reducercouplings attached to the ends of the at least one axle, at least oneaxle extension having at least one spring button connected to the atleast one axle by way of the pair of reducer couplings and a pair ofadjustable leg portions engaged with the at least one axle extensionthrough the at least one spring button. The pair of adjustable legportions are wrapped in a ribbed rubber material to enhance friction asthey rest on chair arm rests, further enhancing friction for laptop deskstability. From a sitting position, a user can manually lift and move,roll or pivot the laptop desk to balance in a predetermined position.

In summary, the principles of leverage, gravitational rotation control,friction, balance and tension control are combined to create a highlyadjustable laptop desk which can be readily balanced from the usersitting position, on the arm rests of the conventional recliner armchairin a wide array of available positions for comfortable, relaxing, andergonomic use of the laptop computer.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in the foregoing description, it is to be understood that thepresent invention is not to be limited to just the embodimentsdisclosed, but that they are capable of numerous rearrangements,modifications and substitutions without departing from the descriptionherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a laptop desk in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear surface of a flat surface board attached withat least one leg assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the at least one axle, axle housing andaxle extensions.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of at least one peg hook inserted to apair of holes on at least one pegboard area.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an adjustable tension restraint strap ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the laptop desk in use.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the laptop desk hanging on a rack, when thedesk is not in use.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   10 . . . Laptop desk    -   12 . . . Flat surface board    -   14 . . . Front surface of the flat surface board    -   16 . . . Upper raised border of the flat surface board    -   18 . . . Lower raised border of the flat surface board    -   20 . . . Adjustable tension restraint strap    -   22 . . . Strap end union of the adjustable tension restraint        strap    -   24 . . . A Plurality of glide type strap adjusters of the        adjustable tension restraint strap    -   26 . . . First end of the adjustable tension restraint strap    -   28 . . . Second end of the adjustable tension restraint strap    -   30 . . . A plurality of eyelet apertures of the adjustable        tension restraint strap    -   32 . . . At least one pegboard area of the flat surface board    -   34 . . . A plurality of holes of the at least one peg board area    -   36 . . . A plurality of mouse pad areas of the flat surface        board    -   38 . . . Lower left side of the flat surface board    -   40 . . . Lower right side of the flat surface board    -   42 . . . A plurality of accessory strap slots of the flat        surface board    -   44 . . . A plurality of hooks of the flat surface board    -   46 . . . Lower left end of the flat surface board    -   48 . . . Lower right end of the flat surface board    -   50 . . . At least one peg hook    -   52 . . . At least one leg assembly    -   54 . . . Rear surface of the flat surface board    -   56 . . . At least one axle housing    -   58 . . . A pair of desk mounts    -   59 . . . A welded nut    -   60 . . . At least one spring loaded pop pin    -   62 . . . A pair of reducer couplings    -   64 . . . At least one axle extension    -   65 . . . Leg height adjustment spring button and apertures    -   66 . . . A pair of adjustable leg portions    -   67 . . . Leg width adjustment spring button and apertures    -   68 . . . A pair of handle bar grips    -   69 . . . A pair of spring buttons on axle extensions    -   70 . . . At least one axle    -   72, 74 . . . Pair of ends of the at least one axle    -   76 . . . A plurality of holes of the at least one axle    -   78 . . . Pop pin aperture    -   80, 82 . . . Terminal ends of the peg hook    -   83 . . . Arm rests    -   84 . . . A user    -   85 . . . Armchair    -   86 . . . Laptop computer    -   88 . . . Chair backrest    -   90 . . . A rack    -   92 . . . A base    -   94 . . . Laptop bag hook    -   96 . . . Hook and loop accessory strap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a laptop desk 10adapted to use with a conventional arm chair is illustrated andgenerally indicated as 10 in FIGS. 1 through 7. Referring to FIG. 1, thelaptop desk 10 comprises a flat surface board 12 having a front surface14, a rear surface (not shown), an upper raised border 16 and a lowerraised border 18, an adjustable tension restraint strap 20 having astrap end union 22, a plurality of glide type strap adjusters 24, afirst end 26 and a second end 28. The first and second ends 26, 28include a plurality of eyelet apertures 30. The flat surface board 12 isdefined by at least one pegboard area 32 having a plurality of holes 34,a plurality of mouse pad areas 36 on lower left side 38 and lower rightside 40 of the flat surface board 12, a plurality of accessory strapslots 42 throughout the at least one pegboard area 32 and a plurality ofhooks 44 detachably attached at the lower left end 46 and lower rightend 48 of the flat surface board 12 and at least one peg hook 50 and atleast one leg assembly 52.

The flat surface board 12 provides an area for a user to placeaccessories such as a laptop computer, book, writing instrument ordocument. The upper and lower raised borders 16, 18 of the flat surfaceboard 12 provide a stop to prevent desktop accessories from sliding offthe flat surface board 12 when positioned at steep angles. The pluralityof holes 34 provides ventilation for a laptop computer as it rests inthe flat surface board 12 and also serves as a means for attachment ofthe at least one peg hook 50, which can be attached throughout theplurality of holes 34.

FIG. 2 shows the rear surface of the flat surface board 54 with the atleast one leg assembly 52. The leg assembly 52 comprises at least oneaxle housing 56 having a pair of desk mounts 58 and at least one weldednut 59; at least one axle (not shown) and at least one spring loaded poppin 60 threadably engaged with the at least one welded nut 59, a pair ofreducer couplings 62, each being attached to one end of the at least oneaxle (not shown), at least one axle extension 64 having at least onespring button 69 connected to the at least one axle 70 by way of thepair of reducer couplings 62, and a pair of adjustable leg portions 66engaged with the at least one axle extension 64 through the at least onespring button 69. The pair of adjustable leg portions 66 includes a pairof handle bar grips 68 wrapped in a ribbed rubber material to enhancefriction as they rest on chair arm rests, further enhancing friction fordesk stability. The pair of adjustable leg portions 66 engage the axleextension 64 by way of spring buttons and spring button apertures 67 foradjusting the width of the leg assembly so that the pair of handle bargrips 68 can be positioned to rest on any size arm chair. The pair ofadjustable leg portions 66 also comprise a second plurality of springbutton apertures and spring buttons 65 for adjusting the height of thepair of adjustable leg portions. The pair of desk mounts 58 is attachedto the rear surface of the flat surface board 54 with screws. The legassembly 52 is mounted to the rear surface of the flat surface board 54and a pair of leg portions 66 can be centered on the pair of arm restsof the conventional arm chair, thereby providing a highly adjustablelaptop desk that yields the comfort and health benefit of sitting in theconventional arm chair with the use of the laptop computer.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the at least one axle 70, axle housing 56and axle extension 64. The axle 70 having a pair of ends 72, 74 isadapted for insertion into the at least one axle housing 56. The axle 70has a smaller diameter than the axle housing 56 thereby permittinginsertion into the axle housing 56. The axle 70 includes a plurality ofholes 76 along the center line of the axle 70 which align with the poppin aperture 78 in the axle housing 56. The plurality of holes 76receive the spring loaded pop pin 60 through the welded nut 59 and thepop pin aperture 78 to lock in different leg positions. The pair ofreducer couplings 62 prevent the axle 70 from sliding longitudinallywithin the axle housing 56 by butting up against the ends of the axle72, 74.

FIG. 4 illustrates the at least one peg hook 50 inserted to a pair ofholes 34 on the at least one pegboard area 32. The peg hook 50 includesthe first terminal end 80 and the second terminal end 82, each terminalend 80, 82 being inserted to the pair of holes 34 on the pegboard area32. The peg hook 50 can be easily attached and detached from thepegboard area 32 and repositioned throughout the pegboard area 32 of theflat surface board 12 to support the desktop accessories of varioussizes throughout the pegboard area 32. The peg hook 50 can be easilymoved and provides more flexibility in the accessory positioning byincreasing distance of the desktop accessories from the lower raisedborder 18. The increase in distance of the accessory from the lowerraised border 18 also increases distance of load from the leg assembly52. One or more peg hooks 50 may be used to support accessories at anincreased or decreased distance from the user for optimal wrist and armalignment. The peg hook 50 is of an eyelet type design so as to minimizeblockage of computer accessory inputs located on the front side of thelaptop computer

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adjustable tension restraint strap20 of the present invention. The adjustable tension restraint strap 20includes a strap end union 22, a plurality of glide type strap adjusters24, a first end 26 and a second end 28. The first and second ends 26, 28include a plurality of eyelet apertures 30. The strap end union 22 ofthe adjustable tension restraint strap 20 wraps around a chair backrestand the plurality of glide type strap adjusters 24 which adjust lengthare reachable from the user sitting position and the eyelets 30 on bothends 26, 28 engage with the hooks 44 positioned at the lower left end 46and lower right end 48 of the flat surface board 12. The automatic strapmovements triggered by the backward or forward motion of the chairbackrest results in a compensatory desk pivot which helps maintainrelative angular orientation of a user and desk.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the laptop desk 10 in use. Thelaptop desk 10 is balanced and stabilized on the arm rests 83 of thearmchair 85 at a predetermined distance from a user 84 and at apredetermined angular orientation with respect to the user 84. From asitting position, the user 84 can readily adjust the distance of thelaptop desk 10 and angular orientation to a state of balance in one ofmany available positions for comfortable, relaxing, and ergonomic use ofthe laptop computer 86. The configuration is such that the laptop desk10 can simultaneously accommodate and support a laptop computer 86 alongwith other desktop accessories necessary for multitasking. The laptopdesk 10 may automatically pivot forward or backward in unison with thebackrest of the chair forward or backward motion.

A selection of the eyelets 30 to engage with the hooks 44 providesfurther means for strap length adjustment to create necessary straptension for the laptop desk 10. Either the flat surface board 12 or theadjustable tension restraint strap 20 can have the eyelet or hooks, aslong as the strap 20 attaches to the flat surface board 12. Anadjustment of strap length is utilized to control angular orientation ofthe laptop desk 10 at balance. At a fixed distance of the leg assembly52 from the chair backrest 88, engagement of the eyelets 30 to the hooks44 which results in a shorter strap length creates tension to the strap20 allowing less of a gravitational downward desk pivot. Engagement ofthe eyelets 30 resulting in a longer strap length creates tension to thestrap 20, allowing more of a gravitational downward desk pivot. Once thestrap 20 is engaged, and with tension applied, additional manipulationof the laptop desk's angular orientation can be achieved by pivoting thehooks 44 about the eyelets 30 thereby manually increasing or decreasingthe distance of the leg assembly 52 from the chair backrest 88 andcausing the laptop desk 10 to pivot. Once the strap 20 is engaged withthe laptop desk 10, the desk 10 can be maneuvered and centered on thearm rests 83 without adjusting length. At a fixed distance from the user84, forward or backward movement of the chair backrest 88 increases ordecreases strap tension which causes the laptop desk 10 to pivot. Abackward motion of the chair backrest 88 increases strap tension, pullson the desk 10, and triggers the desk pivot in the same direction aschair backrest 88. Similarly, a forward motion of the chair backrest 88releases the strap tension and triggers a gravitational desk pivot insame direction as the chair backrest 88. For stability of the laptopcomputer on the flat surface board, a hook and loop accessory strap 96is inserted through the plurality of accessory strap slots of the flatsurface board 42 and wraps around the laptop computer.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the laptop desk 10 hanging on a rack 90 whenthe desk 10 is not in use. The rack 90 includes a base 92, laptop deskhooks (not shown) and laptop bag hook 94. The leg assembly 52 can beinserted on to the laptop desk hooks (not shown) for hanging the laptopdesk 10 and a bag with laptop computer can be hanged on the laptop baghook 94 located on the rear of rack.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanyingclaims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, various modifications and substitutions may be madethereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has beendescribed by way of illustration and not limitation.

1. A laptop desk adapted to use with a conventional arm chair,comprising: a flat surface board with at least one raised border; atleast one strap attachment device on the flat surface board; anadjustable tension restraint strap that is attachable to the strapattachment device on the flat surface board and wraps behind a chairbackrest; at least one leg assembly for pivotally resting the flatsurface board on a pair of arm rests of a conventional arm chair;whereby the laptop desk can convert the conventional arm chair into ahighly and readily adjustable workstation capable of simultaneouslyaccommodating and supporting a laptop computer along with a plurality ofdesktop accessories.
 2. The laptop desk of claim 1, wherein the flatsurface board comprises a front surface, a rear surface, an upper raisedborder and a lower raised border defined by: at least one pegboard areahaving a plurality of holes; a plurality of mouse pad areas on lowerleft and lower right sides of the flat surface board; a plurality ofaccessory strap slots throughout the at least one pegboard area; and atleast one accessory strap for holding a laptop computer or other desktop accessory in place.
 3. The laptop desk of claim 1, wherein the atleast one strap attachment device on the flat surface board comprises aplurality of hooks or a plurality of eyelets at the lower left and lowerright ends of the flat surface board that detachably attach to theadjustable tension restraint strap.
 4. The laptop desk of claim 1,wherein the adjustable tension restraint strap has a strap end union, aplurality of glide type strap adjusters, a first end and a second endwherein the first end and the second end comprises a plurality of eyeletapertures or a plurality of hooks to detachably attach to the flatsurface board.
 5. The laptop desk of claim 2, wherein the flat surfaceboard features at least one peg hook having a first terminal end and asecond terminal end, each terminal end being inserted to a pair of holeson the at least one pegboard area to provide support for desktopaccessories.
 6. The laptop desk of claim 1, wherein the at least one legassembly comprises: at least one axle housing having a pair of deskmounts and at least one welded nut; at least one axle having a pair ofends adapted for insertion into the at least one axle housing; at leastone spring loaded pop pin threadably engaged with the at least onewelded nut; a pair of reducer couplings, each being attached to one endof the at least one axle; at least one axle extension having at leastone spring button connected to the at least one axle by way of the pairof reducer couplings; and a pair of adjustable leg portions engaged withthe at least one axle extension through the at least one spring button,wherein the pair of adjustable leg portions engage the axle extension byway of spring buttons and spring button apertures for adjusting thewidth of the leg assembly so that the ends of the pair of adjustable legportions can rest on any size arm chair, and wherein the pair ofadjustable leg portions also comprise a second plurality of springbutton apertures and spring buttons for adjusting the height of the pairof adjustable leg portions whereby the at least one leg assembly ismounted to a rear surface of the flat surface board.
 7. The laptop deskof claim 1, wherein the tension from restraint strap and traction fromlegs balance the desk on chair armrest.
 8. The laptop desk of claim 1,wherein the adjustable tension restraint strap further includes at leastone hook on one of the first and the second ends and at least one eyeleton the other of the first and the second ends.
 9. The laptop desk ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one hook and eyelet attaches the first endand the second end when the adjustable tension restraint strap is not inuse.
 10. The laptop desk of claim 4, wherein the plurality of glide typestrap adjusters and the plurality of eyelet apertures selectivelyengaged with the plurality of hooks provide a means for strap lengthadjustment.
 11. The laptop desk of claim 2, wherein the plurality ofaccessory strap slots is adapted to receive at least one accessorystrap.
 12. The laptop desk of claim 11, wherein the at least oneaccessory strap secures the plurality of desktop accessories in the flatsurface board.
 13. The laptop desk of claim 2, wherein the upper raisedborder and a lower raised border prevents the plurality of desktopaccessories from sliding off the flat surface board when the laptop deskis positioned at steep angles.
 14. The laptop desk of claim 2, whereinthe plurality of holes on the at least one pegboard area providesventilation for the laptop computer when the laptop computer rests onthe flat surface area.
 15. The laptop desk of claim 2, wherein theplurality of holes on the at least one pegboard area provides a meansfor attachment of the plurality of desktop accessories.
 16. The laptopdesk of claim 5, wherein the at least one peg hook is detachable. 17.The laptop desk of claim 2, wherein the lower raised border includes aplurality of protective bumps on an outer side thereof to provideprotection to the flat surface board and friction to prevent slidingwhile the laptop desk is stored in an upright position.
 18. The at leastone leg assembly of claim 6, wherein the ends of the pair of adjustableleg portions comprises a pair of handle bar grips with end caps.
 19. Alap top desk hanging system comprising a laptop desk adapted to use witha conventional arm chair, comprising a flat surface board with at leastone raised border, at least one strap attachment device on the flatsurface board, an adjustable tension restraint strap that is attachableto the strap attachment device on the flat surface board and wrapsbehind a chair backrest, and at least one leg assembly for pivotallyresting the flat surface board on a pair of arm rests of a conventionalarm chair; a laptop desk stand comprising a rack, including a rack base,laptop desk hooks, laptop bag hooks, and a bag for a laptop computer.